1970 170 open fisherman

[Pat Green]

Hello folks. I just found this websight- its very informative and have read most of the topics. I have owned this boat for about 25 years and have been tempted to sell it many times but have never found anything that comes close to handling rough water or shallow water with such a soft ride.  It is registered as a !971, but I think it is a 69 or 70 model. The old metal id plate is missing, but registration shows c298(s.n. or model?). Currently has 2002 nissan 120hp and it screams. I also have fought the water that collects at rear deck for years. It got a lot worse after the heavier engine was installed. The new engine also covered both sump drain holes. I installed two ball type scuppers through transom and a bilge pump in the sump.  I also read where many of you are cutting out floors.  I never needed to do that on this boat but did a lot of repairs years ago and we always made the cuts at 45 degrees so that the new piece, also cut at 45 would have something to seat against the seam for support all along the cut edge.  Thanks, Pat Green

[JimCt]

Welcome aboard Pat!

I too have one of the old 170's.  Would be most interested in seeing some pictures of your boat.

[RickK]

Hello folks. I just found this websight- its very informative and have read most of the topics.

Hi Pat, welcome aboard - another 170 owner, yeah!!  We're really blowing away the 19'6ers now.   (Blues you see this?)
 

I have owned this boat for about 25 years and have been tempted to sell it many times

I've owned mine since '88, about half it's life. Never thought about selling her though, she's part of the family. :)

but have never found anything that comes close to handling rough water or shallow water with such a soft ride.

You sure it's an aquasport? I think you're the first to say they take the waves "softly".

I also have fought the water that collects at rear deck for years. It got a lot worse after the heavier engine was installed. The new engine also covered both sump drain holes.

Yeah, seems the old motor's clamps were skinnier and obviously, the boats were designed for them.  The motor that mine had when I bought it was an old 150 straight six merc.  The motor clamp was skinny and the type that had threaded clamps on the front that you twisted down on the transom tight enough to hold the motor, just like you'd see on a small O/B today.  My drain holes are now covered too by a newer motor, but haven't gone the other scupper way.
As Jim said, we'd love to see some pix of your boat.
Again, welcome aboard.

[Pat Green]

JimCt: I am sorry about posting pictures. I bought a sony digital camera with 117 pages of instructions and it may not happen this year. RickK, the boat has old plastic decals at rear of hull that show Aquasport Inc. 1969 Hileah. Fla. .This is why I question if it is a 1971 as registered. The soft ride I refered to takes a little work. With enough horsepower combined with trim tabs I can take rough water(at an angle) with almost full speed and stay dry. Thanks,Pat

[John Jones]

Welcome Pat.  Right on about the tabs and HP.  My old 22-2 rides better than a new Grady-White if you trim it right.

[JimCt]

Pat,
I believe the earliest model year was 1970, but that's not to say the 170 didn't start production in calender year 1969.  The year shown on the registration isn't all that reliable.  My 170 was built before 1972 but the registration says it's a 1981.  Go figure.

Also, the early 170's were rated for 85 hp.

[RickK]

RickK, the boat has old plastic decals at rear of hull that show Aquasport Inc. 1969 Hileah. Fla. .This is why I question if it is a 1971 as registered.

Here is the emblem from the rear of mine. A little closer here.  Mine doesn't show a year though. If you're wondering about the color, I painted the letters to match the bottom paint (oil based house paint).  You can also notice slight the roughness of the letter "A", compared to the rest in the first pic.  I had to rebuild the emblem because it was missing a letter or 2 on each side when I bought it.  I used cabosil and resin to make a "bodo" like consistency and worked it with a dremel.

The soft ride I refered to takes a little work. With enough horsepower combined with trim tabs I can take rough water(at an angle) with almost full speed and stay dry.

I've become pretty creative on the "angle thing" over the years, not having tabs. In light chop, 1-1.5ft waves, I can keep the nose down with trim of the motor enough to be a nice ride, Unfortunately though, if my boat goes up in the air a little, like over a bigger wave, it "slams" upon rentry of the boat making for an "unsoft" entry.  That's the part I refer too.  Makes a racket but doesn't do damage to the boat, just the crew.